Get your favorite mother and bring her to our Mother’s Day celebration at a new location for our group.  Mossy Bank Park is located on a hill south of Bath, overlooking the valley and city.  We will be greeted by our guest leader, Dr. Randy Weidner, a retired general practicioner and extraordinarily knowledgable amateur naturalist.  Many of you met Randy when he came to our mushroom hike at Katherine’s and identified the mushrooms we collected.

We will meet at the nature center cottage and go inside for a brief look at the facility.  Then, we will walk along the overlook road, where you will see a great view of the City of Bath and the valley below.  Have your camera handy for this one.

The Mossy Bank Park eagle feeding her chicks
May 2, 2015
– by Brenda Todd

After this, we will be treated to a once in a lifetime sight.  On a tree top, in the valley below, a pair of bald eagles have built a nest.  From the overlook, we can see the nest from above.  By the time we go there, the eggs will probably have hatched, and we’ll be able to see the chicks in the nest.  Bring binoculars.  After viewing the nest, we will hike the trails.  There will be at least 2 hikes, a long one and short one, and Randy will probably lead the long one.

The social will be a Mother’s Day picnic at the pavillion in the park, near where we started.  Bring a dish to pass, or make a donation.  Restroom facilities are available.

Visit the park web site, to read about the park.  Select “location” for detailed directions.

Directions:

From Wayland, go south on SR 21, under the viaduct, and turn left onto 390.  After exit 1 (Avoca), merge onto 86.   Take exit 38 and turn left, towards Bath.  After passing 86, turn right on Morris St. Go past Tops.  Stay right at the fork; go past the library. Right on Cameron St.  Over Cohocton River. Continue about 1.6 mi.  Watch for small Mossy Bank Park signs. Fork to the left onto Windfall Rd.  Go about 0.4 mi.  Left onto Mossy Bank Park Rd.  Go 1.3 mi. to gate, marked with a small sign.  Continue straight ahead until you pass between 2 large boulders into the park.

If you would like to car pool, or follow me there in your own car, go to the light in Wayland at the corner of Naples and Lackawanna Sts.  Go west on Naples and turn right, after the 7-11 store.  Park in the large lot behind the fire station.  Be there no later than 1 PM.